River Thames Boating Holidays

Enjoy a river holiday cruising on the River Thames 

Boating holidays on the River Thames are a relaxing way to travel and explore the landscape and towns and cities along England’s greatest river. There are some great places to stop and eat along the river.

With an amazing selection of boating holidays from self-drive boat hire to the ultimate luxury of a hotel barge, where you have your own skipper and all meals prepared, you can be sure you’ll travel in style and comfort.

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SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2025 HOLIDAYS

Plan your holiday in November and you can find some early booking offers on boating holidays.

• Le Boat is the market leader in Europe and has bases in Chertsey and Benson on the Thames; book by 2 December 2024 and save up to 20% on your 2025 cruise. BOOK NOW
• Book your 2025 holiday with Kris Cruisers, based near Windsor by 31 December and save 10%. BOOK NOW

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Fancy luxury self-drive boat hire on the River Thames? 

Hobbs of Henley Host up to six guests on a luxurious holiday cruise on ‘Knightsdream,’ a Linssen Grand Sturdy – the last word in elegance on the River Thames. She is available from April to September. Why not book a picnic hamper to make life easy at the start of your journey. With spacious cabins, showers and well equipped kitchens you’ll be completely self-contained as you explore the Thames and Midsomer Country. Choose from 9 Midsomer Murders villages and 30 different filming locations around the Thames. Take in the historic market towns and villages of Henley, Sonning,Goring & Streatley, Wallingford, Dorchester, Moulsford, Wargrave, Hambleden and Marlow.

Le Boat is Europe’s No 1 boating holiday company and provides a wide selection of boats, with different features and styles and sizes, from 2-12 people. Le Boat operates from two bases on the River Thames – Benson and Chertsey with a huge choice of itineraries and models. The Royal cruise takes you one way from Benson in Oxfordshire to Chertsey in Surrey, passing through Windsor and its famous castle (the Queen’s weekend home) and Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. Or take the Scholars’ Cruise to Oxford, England’s city of learning and include some bird-watching at Benson Lock.

Kris Cruisers operates a fleet of 15 cruisers ranging in size from a 29ft 2 berth cruiser to a 48ft 10 berth cruiser. Based at Datchet, near Windsor, it’s easy to meander along the Thames to Hampton Court Palace. 

Bygone Boating offers two luxury wooden boats lovingly restored by Jeff and Sue from their base in Benson. Bernadette II  and Claudette IV are well-equipped and offer central heating for  those cooler mornings.

Thames Narrowboat Holidays - based at Penton Hook Marina, choose from four or six berth boats and cruise past Hampton Court Palace, Henley, Marlow, Windsor and Windsor Castle.

Kalbarri Thames Charters offers a night on board - there are 6 berths, two en suite doubles and a cabin with twin bunks. 

Hotel Boats Cruising on the River Thames

Luxury boating holidays along the Thames include an all-inclusive cruise on a luxury hotel boat offering a unique way to explore the Thames.

The elegant and spacious hotel barge, Magna Carta, accommodates 8 passengers; heated spa pool and contemporary en suite facilities for the four spacious 200sq ft. suites.